Broncos' top-four hopes hang by a thread after shock Bulldogs loss

The NRL season took another odd turn on Thursday night.

The Canterbury Bulldogs may be out of finals contention but they're doing their best to shape the top eight after defeating the Broncos 36-22 at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.

Having lost three matches in a row, including one to the last-placed Eels, the Bulldogs turned their season around somewhat last week with a shock win over the Wests Tigers to dent that side's hopes of even making the finals.

And, they were at it again on Thursday night as they left Brisbane's top-four hopes on life support as halves Lachlan Lewis - playing just his sixth match - and Matt Frawley produced big games on their way to helping the Bulldogs win consecutive matches for the first time this season.

The Broncos are now out as far as $9 with some bookmakers to make the top four.

In front of just 6434 fans at ANZ Stadium, the Bulldogs raced out to a 14-0 lead, before holding off the Broncos somewhat during a tight conclusion to the first half.

However, the Bulldogs sealed the points with three tries in seven minutes as they posted their equal-highest score of the campaign.

There were still several controversial moments, though, with a Bulldogs trainer reportedly abusing a referee, while Brisbane's Josh McGuire will come under scrutiny after pulling Adam Elliott's hair after also pulling an opponent's hair during the Round 19 clash with Penrith.